World War 2 Ships
@ww2-ships.bsky.social
We are dedicated to sharing, debating, and the enjoyment of the naval theaters of the Second World War.
Found a new read for this month! Its alot harder to find good material for Coral Sea, so hopefully there are some good nuggets here!
#booksky
#booksky
November 2, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Found a new read for this month! Its alot harder to find good material for Coral Sea, so hopefully there are some good nuggets here!
#booksky
#booksky
The Nautilus expedition found the USS Laffey DD-459. Laffey was a Benson class destroyer who served during thr early campaigns in the South Pacific. During the night of of November 13th, she valiantly fought the IJN Hiei at point blank range. She was lost after taking as many as two torpedoes.
July 15, 2025 at 1:43 AM
The Nautilus expedition found the USS Laffey DD-459. Laffey was a Benson class destroyer who served during thr early campaigns in the South Pacific. During the night of of November 13th, she valiantly fought the IJN Hiei at point blank range. She was lost after taking as many as two torpedoes.
The subject is the USS Cowpens. While the Essex class CVs get the most attention, the CVLs were instrumental in winning the war. Cowpens spent much of early 1944 looking for action, & ultimately found it at the Phillipines Sea. She was the first carrier into Tokyo Bay, & was scrapped after the war.
June 28, 2025 at 5:42 PM
The subject is the USS Cowpens. While the Essex class CVs get the most attention, the CVLs were instrumental in winning the war. Cowpens spent much of early 1944 looking for action, & ultimately found it at the Phillipines Sea. She was the first carrier into Tokyo Bay, & was scrapped after the war.
Finishing up "The Mighty Moo" by Nathan Canestaro. It is a simple read that was mostly put together with after action reports and a few sailors diaries and letters written home. Its a quick & enjoyable read. Ultimately I wish there were more stories, but the source material is hard to come by.
June 28, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Finishing up "The Mighty Moo" by Nathan Canestaro. It is a simple read that was mostly put together with after action reports and a few sailors diaries and letters written home. Its a quick & enjoyable read. Ultimately I wish there were more stories, but the source material is hard to come by.
Today marks the anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. 81 years ago today the Greatest Generation pulled off what was thought to be impossible a few years earlier. Today we celebrate the great sacrifice of so many who died so that the Allies could start the march to Berlin.
June 6, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Today marks the anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. 81 years ago today the Greatest Generation pulled off what was thought to be impossible a few years earlier. Today we celebrate the great sacrifice of so many who died so that the Allies could start the march to Berlin.
June 4th, 1942. The US and Japanese fight one of, if not the most, important battles of World War 2. With the element of surprise, the US fought to achieve numerical parity with the IJN, allowing them to start their offensive action.
Today we remember the souls lost on this day off Midway island.
Today we remember the souls lost on this day off Midway island.
June 4, 2025 at 3:43 PM
June 4th, 1942. The US and Japanese fight one of, if not the most, important battles of World War 2. With the element of surprise, the US fought to achieve numerical parity with the IJN, allowing them to start their offensive action.
Today we remember the souls lost on this day off Midway island.
Today we remember the souls lost on this day off Midway island.
Picked this up today from a bookstore. Read a few passages and found it to be an easy read. Another one for the little library, hopefully will finish it soon!
March 20, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Picked this up today from a bookstore. Read a few passages and found it to be an easy read. Another one for the little library, hopefully will finish it soon!
While the armored flight deck would limit the size of the air wing, the Illustrious proved to be quite durable, enduring a savage bombing escorting convoys near Malta, and later kamikaze attacks in the Pacific. She most well known for carrying out the attack on the Italian fleet at Taranto
March 19, 2025 at 12:00 AM
While the armored flight deck would limit the size of the air wing, the Illustrious proved to be quite durable, enduring a savage bombing escorting convoys near Malta, and later kamikaze attacks in the Pacific. She most well known for carrying out the attack on the Italian fleet at Taranto
Today's ship is the HMS Illustrious. Launched in 1939 and commissioned in 1940, she saw action in every theater of World War II. Her armored flight deck was a revolution at the time, and led to the US and Japanese to move to this design later in the war. 1/ #NavalHistory
March 19, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Today's ship is the HMS Illustrious. Launched in 1939 and commissioned in 1940, she saw action in every theater of World War II. Her armored flight deck was a revolution at the time, and led to the US and Japanese to move to this design later in the war. 1/ #NavalHistory
Deemed to slow and unprotected to operate in the front lines of the Pacific, she escorted convoys and participated in Operation Torch before being used to train air crews in the Pacific after 1944. After the war she was unable to be modernized further, and was scrapped in 1947. /3 end
March 7, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Deemed to slow and unprotected to operate in the front lines of the Pacific, she escorted convoys and participated in Operation Torch before being used to train air crews in the Pacific after 1944. After the war she was unable to be modernized further, and was scrapped in 1947. /3 end
USS Ranger was designed without an island, but this was included to better navigate $ control the air group. The funnels could raise and lower. Later designs would trunk these into the island structure. Her interwar experience provided valuable feedback to the future Yorktown and Essex deigns /2
March 7, 2025 at 3:56 PM
USS Ranger was designed without an island, but this was included to better navigate $ control the air group. The funnels could raise and lower. Later designs would trunk these into the island structure. Her interwar experience provided valuable feedback to the future Yorktown and Essex deigns /2
Today lets look at the USS Ranger. After several carrier conversions, the US Navy wanted a purpose built carrier. Designs ranged from very small to ships as large as Saratoga, but the final ship would be a smaller design to allow for more flight decks to be built. /1 #NavalHistory
March 7, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Today lets look at the USS Ranger. After several carrier conversions, the US Navy wanted a purpose built carrier. Designs ranged from very small to ships as large as Saratoga, but the final ship would be a smaller design to allow for more flight decks to be built. /1 #NavalHistory
Recently I have been fixated on the KGV class battleships. I really like the quad turret design here. I need to find more reading about these ships.
February 23, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Recently I have been fixated on the KGV class battleships. I really like the quad turret design here. I need to find more reading about these ships.
This is one of my favorite images from World War 2. The USS Washington during her duel with the Kirishima. I can't think of many images like this during an engagement with an enemy, at least one that is this clear.
February 19, 2025 at 4:37 PM
This is one of my favorite images from World War 2. The USS Washington during her duel with the Kirishima. I can't think of many images like this during an engagement with an enemy, at least one that is this clear.
I've long wanted to read Race of Aces, and my wife gifted it to me for Valentines day.
On a trip to half price books, my 8 yo daughter wanted to get me a boat book and picked this out, along with a bookmark. I'm so greatful for her thoughtfulness, & will read it soon! #NavalHistory #histbookchat
On a trip to half price books, my 8 yo daughter wanted to get me a boat book and picked this out, along with a bookmark. I'm so greatful for her thoughtfulness, & will read it soon! #NavalHistory #histbookchat
February 15, 2025 at 3:53 PM
I've long wanted to read Race of Aces, and my wife gifted it to me for Valentines day.
On a trip to half price books, my 8 yo daughter wanted to get me a boat book and picked this out, along with a bookmark. I'm so greatful for her thoughtfulness, & will read it soon! #NavalHistory #histbookchat
On a trip to half price books, my 8 yo daughter wanted to get me a boat book and picked this out, along with a bookmark. I'm so greatful for her thoughtfulness, & will read it soon! #NavalHistory #histbookchat
Later in 1941, Prince of Wales and Repulse were sent to Singapore to deter Japanese aggression. While in route on the morning of Dec 10, they were attacked with no air cover. The Japanese scored no less than 4 torpedoes and 1 bomb, Prince of Wales was lost along with 327 brave souls.
February 15, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Later in 1941, Prince of Wales and Repulse were sent to Singapore to deter Japanese aggression. While in route on the morning of Dec 10, they were attacked with no air cover. The Japanese scored no less than 4 torpedoes and 1 bomb, Prince of Wales was lost along with 327 brave souls.
Her most famous action was shortly after her competition. The threat of the Bismarck forced her into action with the Hood, where they fought near the the Denmark Strait. The Hood was tragically lost, the Prince of Wales landed a hit which would ultimately force the Bismarck to return to port. 2/
February 15, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Her most famous action was shortly after her competition. The threat of the Bismarck forced her into action with the Hood, where they fought near the the Denmark Strait. The Hood was tragically lost, the Prince of Wales landed a hit which would ultimately force the Bismarck to return to port. 2/
Today we visit the Royal Navy and HMS Prince of Wales. A King George V class battleship, she was designed as a treaty compliant battle ship of 35,000 tons. Her gun layout was quite unique, with 1 quad and 1 twin 14' mount facing forward, & a quad 14' turret on the stern. 1/ #NavalHistory #RoyalNavy
February 15, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Today we visit the Royal Navy and HMS Prince of Wales. A King George V class battleship, she was designed as a treaty compliant battle ship of 35,000 tons. Her gun layout was quite unique, with 1 quad and 1 twin 14' mount facing forward, & a quad 14' turret on the stern. 1/ #NavalHistory #RoyalNavy
This time last year, my family & I visited the USS Lexington CV16. I spent alot of time on my own to explore a lot of the ship. She is an absolute treat. She has great exhibits to the Lexington, her previous name sake, & the entirely of her service. I need to go back soon! #NavalHistory
February 3, 2025 at 6:02 PM
This time last year, my family & I visited the USS Lexington CV16. I spent alot of time on my own to explore a lot of the ship. She is an absolute treat. She has great exhibits to the Lexington, her previous name sake, & the entirely of her service. I need to go back soon! #NavalHistory
Today's book haul. Had to visit another book store because I may have bled my normal haunt dry. #histbookchat
January 26, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Today's book haul. Had to visit another book store because I may have bled my normal haunt dry. #histbookchat
Great for light AA work, they just did not have the shopping power against the growing kamikaze threat in late 44/early 45. Saw some of those on the USS Kidd as well!
January 18, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Great for light AA work, they just did not have the shopping power against the growing kamikaze threat in late 44/early 45. Saw some of those on the USS Kidd as well!
...including at Iwo Jima where she was damaged by shore batteries that killed 17 sailors. She also served the 3rd/5th fleets protecting the US carrier force. After the war, she was considered surplus and was sent to Bikini atolls for Operation Crossroads before being sunk off the Washington coast.
January 18, 2025 at 2:34 AM
...including at Iwo Jima where she was damaged by shore batteries that killed 17 sailors. She also served the 3rd/5th fleets protecting the US carrier force. After the war, she was considered surplus and was sent to Bikini atolls for Operation Crossroads before being sunk off the Washington coast.
She was present for Midway and the carrier battles off Guadalcanal in 1942. On November 29th, she was hit by a torpedo during the Battle of Tassafaronga. Herculean damage control efforts saved the ship, and was sent to refit in 1943. She would serve the rest of the war doing shore bombardment 2/
January 18, 2025 at 2:34 AM
She was present for Midway and the carrier battles off Guadalcanal in 1942. On November 29th, she was hit by a torpedo during the Battle of Tassafaronga. Herculean damage control efforts saved the ship, and was sent to refit in 1943. She would serve the rest of the war doing shore bombardment 2/
Tonight we highlight the USS Pensacola, CA-24. A treaty heavy cruiser, she sacrificed armor for speed and firepower. Her 8 inch guns packed quite pop, but her amor scheme made it difficult to stand up against the non-treaty compliant IJN. #navalhistory 1/
January 18, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Tonight we highlight the USS Pensacola, CA-24. A treaty heavy cruiser, she sacrificed armor for speed and firepower. Her 8 inch guns packed quite pop, but her amor scheme made it difficult to stand up against the non-treaty compliant IJN. #navalhistory 1/
I've posted alot about books this year, but I've made it a goal of mine to read more this year. Currently I am reading Japanese Destroyer Captain by Tameichi Hara. He is not a writer by trade, but the simplistic style makes for an easy and entertaining read. #NavalHistory
January 13, 2025 at 4:52 AM
I've posted alot about books this year, but I've made it a goal of mine to read more this year. Currently I am reading Japanese Destroyer Captain by Tameichi Hara. He is not a writer by trade, but the simplistic style makes for an easy and entertaining read. #NavalHistory